HOW WE LIVE: THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND

Venture through this world-class exhibit offering a compelling glimpse of how we live, work and play in the beautiful and sometimes harsh environment of Interior Alaska.   

Explore the landscape of the region in three seasons, portrayed by life-sized dioramas, the ambient sounds of nature, video displays, recordings and stories told by the people of the Interior.  

Experience the long daylight hours of summer in the village of Tanana and walk through a real smokehouse transplanted from the fish camp of Morris Thompson’s sister into a hunter’s camp on a vivid autumn day. People and animals spend this short season preparing for the long winter ahead. Watch the winter sun set and view the dazzling aurora through the window of a full-size public use cabin.   

Showcased are cultural objects that reveal the skill and artistry of the people who made them, and technologies developed and passed on for generations. The Elders Hall and Language Nook honor the legacies of peoples who have been in the Interior for over 14,000 years, celebrating traditions practiced in the past, present and into posterity. 

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ALASKA NATIVE CLAIMS SETTLEMENT ACT

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA) was a new approach by Congress to federal Indian policy. ANCSA extinguished aboriginal land title in Alaska. It divided the state into twelve distinct regions and mandated the creation of twelve private, for-profit Alaska Native regional corporations and over 200 private, for-profit Alaska Native village corporations. ANCSA also mandated that both regional and village corporations be owned by enrolled Alaska Native shareholders. Unlike in the lower-48 states where the reservation system was the norm, ANCSA departed significantly – its foundation was in Alaska Native corporate ownership. – from the ANCSA REGIONAL ASSOCIATION website

This innovative approach had profound consequences, many of which are still being navigated to this day. The corporate structure allows Alaska Natives to have a direct role in managing their lands and resources, with a variety of opportunities that access creates. ANCSA supported the preservation and perpetuation of Alaska Native cultures and traditions by providing a framework for communities to thrive economically while maintaining their heritage. The profits generated by these corporations have been reinvested into local communities, funding educational programs, healthcare services, and cultural initiatives. Despite challenges, ANCSA set a precedent for Indigenous self-determination and remains a pivotal moment in U.S. history, contributing to the social and economic empowerment of Indigenous communities in Alaska

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ARCHEOLOGY ON ICE

Archaeology on Ice tells the story of the climate change in the Arctic through a unique collaboration between scientists, the Ahtna Heritage Foundation and tribal members. The exceptional preservation of the organic tools (wood, antler, bone, and leather) found at ice patches has enabled people to make direct links between today and the past. Many local people participated in the research to locate and preserve these rare artifacts. They have shared their knowledge about their customary and traditional use of the land and its resources. Artifacts on display include arrows, spear points, and birch bark baskets.  

On loan from Maxwell Museum of Anthropology

THE LANGUAGE NOOK

Learn about the diversity of Alaska Native languages and hear stories told in the voices of Indigenous language speakers and learners in this interactive exhibit.  

Play a game and learn how to pronounce animal names in Denaak’e and Gwich’in.  

Hear Chief Peter John tell a story in Lower Tanana Athabascan while following along in a written English translation.  

Listen to life stories told by people dedicated to the survival and continued use of Alaska Native languages, heroes of language preservation and perpetuation.